50 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 75 



Tonatia brasiliensis 

 Pygmy Round-eared Bat 



Pygmy round-eared bats are distributed from Veracruz, Mexico, to Brazil 

 (Fig. 35). The species is monotypic although, at one time, four separate species 

 were recognized. Names previously used for this species in Costa Rica include 

 Tonatia minuta and T. nicaraguae . 



In Costa Rica, this species usually is found in forested habitats, but it is known 

 from agricultural areas as well. The only known roosting sites are termite nests 

 (Goodwin and Greenhall 1961). Gardner (1977) suggested that the species proba- 

 bly feeds on insects and fruit. These bats probably have a bimodally polyestrous 

 reproductive cycle (Wilson 1979). 



This species was first recorded from Costa Rica by Gardner et al. (1970), based 

 on specimens from the Osa Peninsula and from Cariari in Limon Province. LaVal 

 (1977) captured eight at La Selva, two of which were pregnant females, one in 

 February and one in April. Our specimen was captured using a mist net set over 

 a small stream in an old clearing at 270 m in Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo. 



Bat flies taken from T. brasiliensis were Mastoptera sp. {minuta complex; 

 2 males and 2 females). 



Specimens examined (2)— Finca La Selva, 3 km S of Puerto Viejo, 70 m 

 [1 male, KU]; 11 km S, 4.5 km W of Puerto Viejo, 270 m [1 female, USNM]. 



Fig. 35. Pygmy round-eared bat, Tonatia brasiliensis. Photo by B. L. Clauson. 



